Rock Island man charged with striking environmental warden: Court records

A 61-year-old Rock Island man was arrested Wednesday after officers accused him of punching an environmental protection worker, court documents show.

Tommy Smith, who remained in the Rock Island County Jail on Wednesday, was charged with a Class 1 felony count of aggravated battery, aggravated battery, attempting to disarm a police officer and a Class A felony count of committing a sex offense in a public park, court records show.

According to arrest affidavits, Smith “knowingly caused serious bodily injury” to a police officer in the line of duty by striking him in the head, knowing the individual was a police officer.

Smith also tried to disarm the officer, court documents say.

Smith was at Hennepin Canal State Park, records show. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing July 16 in Rock Island County Court.

According to Illinois State Police records, Smith’s victim was 10 years old, and he was 37 at the time of the crime.